Eric Galant believes regular use of a VR fitness app helped him recover from a life-threatening heart condition.
Psychologist and researcher Eric Gallant believes he survived a life-threatening heart condition thanks to regular exercise using a VR fitness app. He told his story to NBC Today.
Supernatural made me a fitness fan
Galan discovered Supernatural during the 2020 pandemic and was immediately impressed by the outdoor setting, music, coaching, and variety of workouts offered. He used his VR fitness app to stay in shape during the lockdown. After just three months of training, he noticed that his strength and endurance had improved significantly. He liked Supernatural so much that he used it regularly for the next two years.
However, in December 2022, Garun suffered from severe chest pain and confusion. A CT scan in her emergency room revealed a laceration in her aorta, requiring immediate surgery and a high risk of death. During surgery, surgeons discovered that her entire aorta had been torn. The surgery lasted nine hours.
Although the surgery was successful, Garun’s recovery was difficult due to the large incision from her neck to her abdomen. At first I needed a walker and couldn’t walk very far. Over time, he began cardiac rehabilitation and walking on a treadmill.
“I did that three days a week for three months, and then I finally got out of cardiac rehab and was able to start my own training regimen. It wasn’t long before I was able to do ‘Supernatural’ again.” I did it. I posted a video of myself just crying with joy,” Galan said.
Rehabilitation by Supernatural
He now runs on the treadmill for 50 minutes three times a week, does weight training to rebuild his muscles, and trains for 10 to 15 minutes using his favorite VR app, Supernatural. Gallun probably wouldn’t have recovered as much as he did without the physical fitness and athletic ambition he’s built over the past few years with VR Fitness.
“Having been doing Supernatural regularly for two and a half years has not only made me stronger; it’s helped me see myself as an athletic person, which I didn’t before. I really believe that Supernatural gave me that perspective,” Galan says.
Erick Gallun’s story shows that VR fitness can positively impact physical and mental health. A study published in summer 2023 also showed that VR fitness can support recovery after surgery. Patients who completed VR fitness exercises alongside standard care had shorter hospital stays.
Active lifestyle: Getting started is easy with VR fitness
Immersing yourself in a VR headset can make exercise more accessible and enjoyable for some people, as it guides you through different exercises in a fun way. The combination of exercise and entertainment is a great motivator for people who don’t like going to the gym or doing old-fashioned exercises on the treadmill.
The benefits of regular exercise are undeniable. Exercise can also help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health problems associated with an inactive lifestyle, reduce stress, and promote overall health.
If you’re interested in getting started with cardio training in VR, here’s a quick guide to get started.
- Mobile VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3, Quest 2, and Pico 4 are ideal for VR fitness because they work without cables connected to your computer or console and offer more freedom of movement.
- Current VR fitness apps often offer boxing moves, squats, and side steps. There are also apps that specialize in dance moves, such as Les Mills XR Dance.
- FitXR, along with Supernatural, is one of the leading VR fitness platforms, offering virtual gyms with a variety of classes on a subscription basis. I tried FitXR for a year to see if it was worth the subscription.
- If you’re looking for a VR fitness app that doesn’t require a subscription, we recommend Les Mills Bodycombat. Rhythm games like Beat Saber and Synth Riders are also great for various VR workouts.
- If you prefer to train with equipment, check out apps like Octonic, which lets you sync a mobile VR headset like Meta Quest with a treadmill or rowing machine.